Indonesia – Rising demand for Asian entertainment in Indonesia is driving steady viewership and stronger user loyalty for streaming platform iQIYI International, with Chinese dramas emerging as a key contributor to its growth.
According to the company, iQIYI International has recorded nearly 2x growth in monthly active users (MAU) and around a 5x increase in paid subscribers since its relaunch in the country. Data from Media Partners Asia (MPA) also shows the platform has become the fourth-largest OTT service in Indonesia by MAU.
The platform’s growth has been supported by sustained demand for Asian content, particularly Chinese dramas. MPA notes that Chinese content now ranks fourth in reach and engagement across Southeast Asia and is among the fastest-growing categories in the region. Both long-form series and short-form microdramas have contributed to more consistent viewership and repeat usage.
To extend engagement beyond the platform, iQIYI International recently held fan events in Jakarta featuring actors Chen Zheyuan and Esther Yu, linked to popular titles such as Speed and Love and Fated Hearts. The events were part of efforts to deepen audience connection and support subscriber growth through offline engagement.
At the same time, the company is expanding its local presence through partnerships and content investment. It has strengthened distribution through collaborations with Telkomsel and Vision+, aimed at improving accessibility and reaching new user segments across the country.
On the content side, iQIYI International is developing its first slate of Indonesian originals with local production partners, with releases expected in 2026. This follows MPA data showing Indonesian originals now account for around 30% of premium video-on-demand viewership, on par with Korean dramas.
The growth comes as Indonesia’s streaming market continues to expand. MPA reports that paid streaming subscribers in the country grew 23% in 2025, contributing significantly to a regional total of more than 61 million subscribers across Southeast Asia.
Dinesh Ratnam, senior managing director of Southeast Asia at iQIYI, said, “Indonesia is a huge market with tremendous potential for streaming. We’ve seen a growing willingness to pay, a highly engaged fan community, and rising interest in both Chinese and local content. We will continue to invest in this market by working with like-minded partners to bring the best in Asian entertainment to our users. We are also excited to launch our first slate of Indonesian local originals.”
